Bajans way too uptight, complains Inniss

Government minister Donville Inniss is concerned that Barbadians are living too stressful an existence, which he suggests may be contributing to rising hypertension and diabetes on the island.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of last weekend’s Carolling on the Green event in his St James South constituency, Inniss called on Bajans to set aside more time for personal relaxation and participation in more community activities.

Donville Inniss showing off his skills on the saxaphone.

“It is not about spending money, not about buying material things. It is about having great fun,” said Inniss, who is not satisfied that Barbadians are making adequate use of the island’s open spaces.

“It pains me when I go around and see these open spots, some maintained by Government, some maintained by others not being well utilized.

“I think people need to come out of their houses and come out and breathe some fresh air and relax themselves,” suggested Inniss, a former Minister of Health.

He complained that too many Barbadians were leading sedentary lifestyles in which “they get up on mornings, take a shower, have a breakfast, get into a motor car, roll the windows up, turn the AC on, drive to an office that is air conditioned, work hard in a stressful environment, get into the cars, roll the windows up on evenings, turn the AC on and drive home, cook a little dinner, watch a little television and go to bed and get up in the morning and do the same thing over and over.

A section of the audience at Wanstead Ridge Park last Friday night.

“They don’t even sometimes peep through the window and say hello to their neighbours, [and] their children sometimes don’t even know who is living in the neighbourhood,” added Inniss,
the Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development.

Emphasizing the need for Barbadians tode-stress a bit, he told Barbados TODAY: “When I look at the amount of money we spend treating things like hypertension and diabetes in Barbados, I say simple things like a stroll on the beach, coming in the park with a picnic basket and inviting your neighbours makes a profound difference to your quality of life, your health and perhaps your wealth as well; and I would like to see a lot more activities, not just organized activities, but spontaneous activities where people say, ‘look, to hell with the stress, to hell with the office, to hell with the bills and everything’.

“Get into your car, or walk over to the park, throw a blanket on the lawn and read a book and relax yourself. It makes a bit difference,” he advised.

Friday night’s event in Wanstead Ridge Park involved a number of community choirs, anchored by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band. It gave residents the opportunity to do exactly what Inniss advocated– pull out a blanket or a chair and simply relax.

The Royal Barbados Police Force Band performing at Carolling on the Green.

Inniss, the event’s organizer, also took the opportunity to show off his skills on the saxophone to the delight of patrons.

“Barbadians are living too stressful an existence”. If bajans had enough “money” like you do , then we can afford all the frills like you and the rest of your Ministers. Donville, you all TAX us to DEATH.
LONG TIME WE DON’T HAVE A NICE TIME……..DUE TO YOUR GOVERNMENT POLICIES. Tax,tax,tax,tax.Soon you all going to TAX the TAX.

The stress in Barbadians’ lives is tolerating the appalling buffoonery of this idiot. How can the people of St James South actually elect this man-child as their representative says something about them.
Further, that Stuart can tolerate his lack of discipline must say something about the DLP as party. The man does not know boundaries. He is not fit to be a dog trainer.
And thwt Barbados Today sees him as a leader of public opinion says something about BT’s journalism.

Hal you are so political blind you cant see the truth in Don advice because he is DLP ,Mia does take it so you should l do and life is great because l enjoy the outdoors l care not about the 2 parties because all is thè same grand stand for people like you and them enjoy each company

I agree with Donovan. This stressfull attitude developed over the years as all bajans want to live like the Joneses. Getting back to basic like greeting your nabours, playing road tennis with the boys in the community taking a walk to Bridgetown or around the comminity, going to the beach with the boys and girls relaxing in the parks with family and friemds, just basically living and emjoying Barbados whether you are rich or poor be human and smile. You can do your work with a smile especially at the airport
Don’t be constipated have a drink with the boys after work. We used to have fun with each lets get back doing that.

Only the middle class with air-condition offices and air-condition cars experience stress?What about those who don’t have jobs to go to and food on their tables?Do they not matter?This man shows where his loyalty is.The middle class who stress themselves

Mr. Inniss, the bajans are stressed because they cannot get their bills paid, no food on the table, hard for low-income earners to own a piece of the rock, or even obtain a mortgage. Too many taxes, but in spite of it all, I know we need to relax and enjoy what we have.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If persons stress about basically getting their Physiological and Safety needs, how do you expect them to truly “set aside more time for personal relaxation and participation in more community activities”?

Absolutely Corey Broome that’s the simple philosophy of the crap the clown we have for a Minister is saying here. He sat in a cabinet and agreed to a tax regimin that has totally anialated the middle income group of our country. I have never agreed with Hal Austin until today but we know Stuart just don’t care where we go and so he accepts what ever is said or done. I would like Inniss to tell us where the spots are that we should go out and enjoy. Go down Archers bay and see the forest,go to River Bay and see the bay, where ever you turn there is bush. Is he asking us to go in the bush and get robbed or raped. Let him tell us where he goes to eat so that we could put on some guts instead of looking so starved.He has been part this and now wants to impress by criticizing his inept government,why doesn’t he resign? We criticized Estwick when he lashed out and now trying to polish the crap from this self centered clown.

@Philip Clement – What you said is the exact problem. They are still slaves dear. This is what slaves do and behave. Sun up to sun down. This time you get to bathe and work a little less hours. Still own nothing. No economic might at all. They is no middle class they are in the same boat struggling like the rest of us. Then we would not come out of this BS spending such as throwing out to bring in, remi, etc. Our new task masters and oreos are the politicians conveniently carrying out massa duties while the oppressors relax. Go down to the careinage and see the yachts with the owners on board. All that old money passed down through generations. We are truly delusional. What little you get to sustain you. then you give it back to the drink companies to relax.

This man is a really Johnny com Postle. Look, I do not know why this poor excuse for a Prime Minister does not call elections like tomorrow. I am tired is france of listening to this puffed up giddy head apostate.

Search in Archive

Select a MonthSelect a CategorySearch with Google

Barbados Today

Our mission is to keep you informed. Do you have news, know of an event or a personality deserving of coverage? Contact us today! Nothing or no one is too big or too small for us at Barbados Today to highlight. You can also take your own good quality photographs of community events and drop us a note with the details.